The Israeli Supreme Court rejected the appeal of Mohammed al-Qeeq, imprisoned Palestinian journalist on his 85th day of hunger strike, to be transferred to a Palestinian hospital in the West Bank on Tuesday evening, 16 February.
Al-Qeeq, held under administrative detention without charge or trial, has been on hunger strike since 25 November. His detention was “suspended” by the Court due to his precarious health situation, but he clearly remains a prisoner. Al-Qeeq has continued his hunger strike and rejection of medical treatment, demanding his freedom, despite symptoms of a heart attack, massive weight loss and escalating pains throughout his body. His lawyers have repeatedly warned that he is in danger of death at any time.
Issa Qaraqe of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Commission said that the HaEmek hospital “ethics committee” is once again considering forcibly treating al-Qeeq over his expressed and conscious objections. He was forcibly treated for four days last month before he was able to have an IV drip of vitamins removed.
Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network calls for EMERGENCY ACTION everywhere in the world to save Mohammed al-Qeeq and secure his freedom, in every city, on every campus, in every community. Events and actions have taken place in London, New York, Montreal, Berlin, Dublin, Brussels, Nicosia, Lebanon, and throughout Palestine. Now is the time for protests, sit-ins, flyering, tabling, and call-in actions to raise the voice and the profile of Mohammed al-Qeeq and create real popular pressure for his immediate release.
Take Action:
1. Contact government officials and demand that they break their silence on Al-Qeeq and support for Israeli violations of Palestinian rights. In the United States, call the Israel Foreign Service Desk
1-202-647-3672 and the White House – 202-456-1111. Demand action on al-Qeeq’s case and an end to aid to Israel. In the UK, call UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Philip Hammond, MP, +44 20 7008 1500. In Canada, call Foreign Minister Stephane Dion: 613-996-5789.
2. Protest at an Israeli consulate or embassy (or federal building, G4S office or public square) and demand freedom for Mohammed al-Qeeq. Raise the issue of this case publicly and distribute information – this flyer is available for you to distribute at protests in your community. Find your closest Israeli consulate: http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-of/israel. Please email us at [email protected]to inform us of your action – we will publicize and share news with the prisoners.
3. Boycott, Divest and Sanction. Palestinians have urged an international boycott of Israeli goods and institutions – and corporations that profit from occupation , like G4S, the world’s largest private security company, that sells security equipment to Israeli prisons, checkpoints and police training centers – directly profiting from the occupation that destroys Palestinian lives. At the same time G4S profits from occupation, institutions like the United Nations continue to do business with it. Go to addameer.org/UNdropG4S to take action!
